Unified Combatant Command

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Map of the United States Unified Combatant Commands (click to enlarge image). Map reflects 2002 move of Syria and Lebanon to USCENTCOM; does not show USAFRICOM as announced in February 2007

A Unified Combatant Command (COCOM) formerly known as a regional "Commander-in Chief" (CINC; pronounced "Sink") is a United States joint military command composed of forces from two or more services, has a broad and continuing mission, and is organized either on a geographical basis (known as "Area Of Responsibility", AOR) or on a functional basis. All COCOMs are commanded by either a four star general or admiral and are considered "joint" commands with specific badges denoting their affiliation.

The Unified Command Plan (UCP) is updated annually in conjunction with the DoD Fiscal Year and can modify areas of responsibility or combatant command alignments or assignments. As of January 2007, there were nine Unified Combatant Commands as specified in Title 10 and the latest annual UCP. Five have regional responsibilities, and four have functional responsibilities.

1 Combatant Commanders
2 Creation of USAFRICOM
3 List of Unified Combatant Commands
4 References
5 See also

[edit] Combatant Commanders

The Goldwater-Nichols Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 added a new level of commander-in-chief (CINC) to the U.S. military's chain of command. Regional CINCs were created in order to have a local supreme commander who could exercise unified command and control across service boundaries, ideally eliminating or diminishing interservice rivalries. CINCs reported directly to the United States Secretary of Defense, and through him to the President of the United States. One of the best known CINCs was Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) during Operation Desert Storm.

On October 24, 2002, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld announced that in accordance with Title 10 of the the US Code (USC), the title of "Commander-in-Chief" would thereafter be reserved for the President, consistent with the terms of Article II of the United States Constitution. Thereafter, the military CINCs would be known as "combatant commanders," as heads of the Unified Combatant Commands.

Each combatant command is headed by a four star general or admiral selected by the SECDEF and President and confirmed by Congress. Goldwater-Nichols also resulted in specific Joint Professional Military Education (JPME)[1] requirements for officers before they could attain flag or general officer rank thereby preparing them for duty in Joint assignments such as COCOM staff or Joint Chiefs of Staff assignments, which are strictly controlled tour length rotations of duty. The chain of command runs from the President to the Secretary of Defense to the combatant commanders of the Unified Combatant Commands. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff may transmit communications to the Commanders of the Unified Combatant Commands from the President and Secretary of Defense and advises both on potential courses of action, but does not exercise direct military command over any combatant forces. Under Goldwater-Nichols, the service chiefs (also four stars in rank) are charged with the responsibility to "organize, train and equip" forces for use by the combatant commands and do not exercise any operation control over their forces.

Each combatant command can be led by a general or flag officer from any of the services. Most commands have traditional service affiliations, but in recent years, non-traditional appointments have become more common. EUCOM was traditionally an Army command with USAF generals on occasion, but is now held by a Marine. PACOM has always been commanded by a Navy admiral due to the wide expanse of ocean, although Air Force generals have been nominated for the post. US Atlantic Command (USACOM) was also a traditional Navy assignment until it was successively commanded by Marine, Army, and Air Force generals, thereby becoming the first to have had commanders from all four services (USACOM was redesignated as JFCOM in 1996)^[1]. CENTCOM and SOUTHCOM were traditionally Army general positions until the Marines received their first CinC assignments. This lead the way for General Pace, a Marine, to become the first Marine Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and ultimately Chairman. COCOM commanders are strong candidates for either position.

[edit] Creation of USAFRICOM

February 2007 Draft Map of the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM) showing its creation from parts of USEUCOM, USCENTCOM and USPACOM. (Click to see enlarged image)

Discussion of adding a sixth regional command with an AOR aligned to Africa (now assigned to three separate Combatant Commands) began before the departure of SECDEF Donald Rumsfeld. This sixth regional command for Africa (USAFRICOM) was approved February 6, 2007. The command is to be established by September 30, 2008.